Ellisville's Jones College HSE Students Tackle Budget Management with 'Real World' Simulation

At Jones College in Ellisville, High School Equivalency (HSE) students took part in a practical learning session called 'Welcome to the Real World,' organized by the Mississippi State Extension service. The program was designed to teach students about managing a household budget through simulated financial scenarios. Each of the 40 participants was assigned a fictional job and a budget that included expenses like taxes, insurance, and family costs.

During the event, students visited 10 different stations where they made decisions on spending their simulated income. They had to manage costs for childcare, clothing, and communications for themselves, a spouse, and at least one child. The goal was to teach them about budgeting and financial planning.

The program included 'Life Happens' cards, which presented unexpected financial challenges or bonuses, simulating real-life financial surprises. These scenarios required students to adjust their budgets quickly, managing potential debt or finding saving or investment opportunities.

Kris Lee, a participant from Hattiesburg, started with a budget of $3,900 and managed to save $455 after all expenses. He noted the value of the exercise in reinforcing financial lessons learned in class and from personal experiences. Lee is working towards his Smart Start credential and HSE.

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